FAMILY LAW WINNER

Lori M. VitaleVitale Family Law, Raleigh

My high-school jobs in Texas included the typical: mall-store clerk, waitress and baby sitter. The not-so-typical jobs included wedding-dress model, playing Chuck E. Cheese at ShowBiz Pizza and dressing up in costumes and delivering balloons — until the owner had me dress up in a bunny costume and sing happy birthday to a guy in a bar. My mom told me to quit and had a few choice words with the owner. It all builds character, right?

Vita: Born April 21, 1970 in Fort Walton Beach, Fla.; bachelor’s degree from Randolph Macon Woman’s College and law degree from Wake Forest University; husband and three children.

Why she chose to specialize in this field: It’s rewarding to watch my clients learn to navigate through change, gain independence and move forward in their relationships. What I do is challenging. Aside from having to channel the emotion involved in a productive manner, the law can be complex and require creativity and strategy to effectively resolve matters. I enjoy my colleagues. They are mentors, friends and professionals.

Memorable case: A young mother with breast cancer and two children so young they will likely not remember what beauty and tenderness she brought to their lives. I keep a picture of her on my desk.

Passions: The simple things — laughing with my kids, running on the beach with my dog, preparing a yummy meal and listening to music with my husband, spending time with friends, experiencing something beautiful.